Fighting In Damascus Intensifies Yet Again

Envoys from the Free Syrian Army met with both Robert Ford the U.S. ambassador to Syria, and Frederick Hoff, special coordinator for the Middle East. Photo: Reuters

Fighting between Syrian government forces and rebels is still on the rise in Damascus, with each day more fierce than the last. The clashes are most intense in the neighborhoods of Midan and Qaboon -- regime helicopters are reportedly shooting at opposition fighters, and armored vehicles have entered the districts, forcing residents indoors.

Activists speaking to the Guardian disagree on the significance of the clashes in the capital, but some believe the fighting to be the start of the battle for Damascus. Because of Syria's prohibitions on media, details of what is actually happening on the ground vary, but by all accounts Tuesday's fighting was the heaviest to hit the capital since the start of the 17-month-long uprising.

A white Fiat van rammed into pedestrians outside enjoying a late afternoon stroll on Las Ramblas in Barcelona on Thursday killing at least 13 people and leaving hundreds injured. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack.